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More Class Lessons for WebQuests 1999
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Exploring Ancient African Empires
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Summary:
This lesson focuses on the rise, development and fall of the West African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali and Songhai. Students will study how each one of these empires came about, what forces promoted their rise as well as their fall. The students main goals is to research their contributions to West Africa, Africa in general, and the world.
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Grade Level: 8
Curricular Area:
Social Studies
Class Time Required:
5 days (Estimated)
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| Standards: |
| This lesson was created to fit into the state standard which requires that,in the seventh grade:
>Students learn to analyze the geographic, political, religious, and social structures of the sub-Saharan civilizations of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai in medieval Africa.
Students will analyze
The geographic regions of the Niger River inhabitants.
The importance of labor,commerce, and religion in the development of these states in West Africa.
The role of Trans-Saharan trade and the influence of Islamic traders in their society.
The development of Islamic-based traditions, laws and beliefs.<
California Standards,7th grade.
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| Learning and Teaching Activities: |
| Students will work in groups of five to accomplish their goal.
By the end of the lesson, student will have completed three activities to demonstrate their understanding of these empires:
a. A model of a village based on information from website (See below). The main goal is to show the socio-economic conditions of of the residents of these kingdoms.
b. A three-page report about their findings. This report will include a brief description of how the students think people used to live at the time.
c. Oral presentation. Students will show their classmates their village models as well as their findings about the empire researched.
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| Outcomes and Assessment: |
Based upon the standard, students will be able to explain the influence of the three sub-Saharan empires in Africa, the influence of Islam in their culture and their eventual participation in the slave trade.
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| Materials Needed: |
| Students will
a. Research internet sites provided in the lesson to complete their assignment.
b. Search for further information from books and encyclopedias obtained from the school's library.
c. Collect "construction" materials which they deem necessary for the completion of the village model which they will present to the class.
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| Resources: |
Resource 1
- Resource: Ancient kingdom of Africa
- URL/Publisher: http:// hswww.grand-blanc.k12.mi..usw/dertme
- How Used: Research
Resource 2
- Resource: Adventure in Mali
- URL/Publisher: http//:www.geographia.com/mali/mali02.htm
- How Used: Picture of village and research
Resource 3
- Resource: An introduction to Mali
- URL/Publisher: http//:geographia.com/mali
- How Used: Picture and research
Resource 4
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| Opening: | On the first day of the lesson, the teacher will explain a. why it is important to study these three West African kingdoms (sub-Saharan trade, influence of Islam, spread of Islam in Africa, participation in slave trade) b. The objectives of the lesson (understanding these cultures and their influence in Africa and other continents),the goals (to complete the three above-mentioned activities in order to demonstrate understanding of the culture) c. the procedure for accomplishing these goals. |
| Development: | Students will work in groups of five members. Each members has a specific role (See lesson's procedure). By the end of each day groups will have accomplish a benchmark in their project development.
The teacher should walk around making sure that students complete each assignment as described in the lesson. It is of utmost important that all students perform their role in order to complete the project. |
| Closing: | By the end of the week all projects must be finished as each group will:
a. Have completed the creation of a village model which will be presented to the class.
b. Typed and turned in a three-page research paper which describes their findings (See above for description of research paper).
c. Present their findings to the class.
The group's grade will be based on their completion of requirements according to rubric (See lesson for copy of rubric). |
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| Ideas for extending the lesson: |
| Visiting the African American Museum located in Exposition Park (Los Angeles County).
Exploring African societies before the rise of these empires.
Study Africa after the fall of these empire and their social, political, economic changes.
Visit additional websites listed in the lesson.
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